DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see pages 5-8, filed 09/09/2026, with respect to claims 1-4 and 6-8 have been fully considered and are persuasive. The rejection of claims 1-4 and 6-8 has been withdrawn. With respect to claim 5, Kida discloses the gaseous flow path (90) is formed between the reading unit (3) and the device main body [Figs. 11-14A] and therefore applicant’s argument is not persuasive.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 5 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Kida (US 2020/0047505).
With regard to claim 5, Kida discloses a liquid ejection device (1) [printing apparatus; Para. 0028] comprising:
a device main body (not labeled) [Para. 0029; Fig. 1] including a liquid ejection head (8) [Para. 0028; Fig. 1] configured to eject a liquid onto a medium (S) [Para. 0030]; and
a reading unit (3) [scanner unit; Para. 0029] configured to open and close at an upper part of the device main body [Fig. 1] and read an image on a document [Para. 0029]; wherein
a flow path (96) [Para. 0082; Figs. 15A, 15B] of a gaseous body [air; Para. 0082] is formed between the device main body and the reading unit [Figs. 15A, 15B], the gaseous body flowing in a direction from the liquid ejection head to the operation unit [Fig. 17B], and
a meandering formation portion (96) [Fig. 15A] is provided to a part of the flow path, the meandering formation portion narrowing the flow path and causing the flow path to meander [Fig. 15A].
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-4 and 6-8 are allowed.
The primary reason for allowance of claims 1-4 and 6-8 is the inclusion of the limitations of a flow path of a gaseous body is formed by a gap formed by and between the device main body and the reading unit, the gaseous body flowing in a direction from the liquid ejection head to the operation unit, and a meandering formation portion is provided to a part of the flow path, the meandering formation portion narrowing the flow path and causing the flow path to meander. It is these limitation(s) found in the claims, as they are claimed in the combination of that has not been found, taught or suggested by the prior art of record, which makes these claims allowable over the prior art.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Hanzawa (US 2023/256,757) discloses a liquid ejection device (31) comprising a device main body (25) having a liquid ejection head (6); a reading unit (not shown) [Para. 0042]; an operation unit (26) and a gaseous flow path of a gaseous body (F). The flow path is formed by a gap formed by and between the second space above the space where the carriage moves. Therefore, the flow path is not formed by and between the main body and the reading unit as claimed.
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
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/TRACEY M MCMILLION/Examiner, Art Unit 2853
/RICARDO I MAGALLANES/Supervisor Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2853
